An estimate is often the first paper a customer holds from your company. If it is written on a blank sheet or a generic pad from the office supply store, it tells them nothing about you, and you have no clean copy when they call back three weeks later asking what you quoted.

A custom carbonless estimate book fixes both problems. Here is what contractors in Brooklyn should know before ordering one.

What "carbonless" means

NCR stands for "no carbon required." The paper is coated so that writing on the top sheet transfers to the sheets underneath, with no separate carbon paper. You write once, tear out the top copy for the customer, and the matching copy stays in your book.

2-part or 3-part?

2-part works for most contractors: one copy for the customer, one for you. A common setup is white on top and yellow underneath.

3-part makes sense when a third person needs the paperwork, such as your office, your bookkeeper or the crew on the job.

If you are not sure, think about where the paper goes after the customer signs. If it only goes back in your truck, 2-part is enough.

What to put on your estimate book

Print the things you would otherwise write by hand on every job:

• Your business name, logo, phone and address, so the customer can reach you long after the job is quoted.
• Your license number, if your trade requires one to be shown.
• The services you offer. A short list reminds the customer you do more than the job in front of you, and you can check off what applies.
• Customer name, job address, date and phone.
• Lines for description, materials and labor, with enough room for real handwriting. Contractors write on tailgates and countertops, so leave space.
• Your terms, such as how long the estimate stays valid and what deposit you require. Have your own advisor check any legal wording.
• A signature line for the customer to accept the estimate.

Why numbering matters

Numbered pages are the part people skip, and then regret. When every estimate has its own number:

• You can find a job fast when a customer calls.
• You can see if a page is missing.
• Your office and your crew can refer to the same number.

Estimate, invoice, receipt or work order?

Many businesses end up needing more than one form. Contractors use estimate books and invoices. Delis and suppliers use order forms. Retail shops use receipt books. These are all carbonless forms with a different layout, so it helps to plan them together so they match.

Tips before you order

1. Bring a form you already use. Even a messy one shows us what you actually fill in.
2. Check your phone number and license number twice. A typo gets repeated on every page of every book.
3. Think about quantity realistically. Count how many estimates you write in a typical month and how long you want the order to last.
4. Do you need Arabic, Spanish or another language? Tell us up front. We work in Arabic and English every day, right here in Bay Ridge.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put my logo on the book?
Yes. Your logo and business details print on every page.

Do I see it before it prints?
Yes. You approve a proof before anything goes to press.

How much do estimate books cost?
It depends on the size, the number of parts, the quantity and the layout, so we quote each job individually. Send us those details and we will reply with a quote.

I'm not in Brooklyn. Can I still order?
Yes. We ship anywhere in the US.

Do you print other carbonless forms?
Yes: invoices, receipts, work orders and order forms, in 2-part or 3-part. See our NCR forms and estimate books page.

Get a quote

Amana Printing has been printing for businesses in Bay Ridge since 2005. Tell us what you need on WhatsApp at (929) 290-6165, or call (718) 491-6456 for a quote. You approve a proof before we print, and we ship anywhere in the US. You can also stop by the shop at 507 68th St, Brooklyn, NY 11220.